Jambs patterson



(Ne Model.) i

J. PATTERSON.

RAILWAY GAP..

No. 258,594 Patented Mey 80, 1882.

N. PETERS. Plmm-Lilhugrapher, Washingmu. D. C.

'IINrrnn STATES Aran-r Fries.,

JAMES PATTERSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

RAILWAY-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `Patent No. 258,594, dated May 30, 1882.'

v Application filed March 22, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom yit may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMns PATTERSON, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain nen7 and useful Improvements in Railroad-Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in railroad-cars more especially intended for the transport of passengers, although applicable to other purposes; and the object is to provide a ready means of access to and egress from the interior of railroad-cars, which, as is well known, cannot be readily done under many circumstances as they are now constructed.

Numerous accidents have demonstrated that the lives of many passengers might have been saved if there had been any ready means for gaining access to the interior, the ordinary exits being clogged with dbris, rendering necessary the use of axes, picks, saws, and other implements to gain an entrance to the damaged or wrecked cars, especially when they had caught on tire and passengers were held in place by some part of the wrecked car.

To overcomethese objections and ditticulties and gain a quick and easy access to and egress from the interior ofthe car, my invention consists in forming the ceiling or top of the car with an instantaneouslyremovable cover or roof, that can be readily lifted ott' the car and out of the way, so as to expose the interior, and thereby allow access to all parts thereof, so that Wounded persons or those held or jammed in place can be readily removed, all ofwhich will be more fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters ofreference marked thereon.

In said drawing the figure represents a vertical cross-section of a car-body embodyingmy invention, with the removable top shown raised in dotted lines.

In the drawing, A is the main body of a passenger-car, having the usual ventilatingspace, B, elevated above the main roof C ot' the car in the ordinary manner. The sides and ends of the elevated part B are made slightly inclined, and the ordinary joists, b,

These braces areas little obstruction to the upper part of the car as possible, and to them the lamps or candles ordinarily employed may be secured. Thebraces may be made ornamental, if desired, by inclosin g them in ornamental tubes or covers, and may he nickel-plated, galvanized, gilded, or silver-plated.

Over the elevated partB is arranged aloosely-iitting cover or removable roof, E, which is made preferably of sheet metal and in one piece, although it might be made of several pieces. Suitable holes are cut in the sides ot' thisroot' to correspond with the usual ventilating-openings, c, in the part B, so as not to obstruct ventilation or light.

It` desired, suitable hooks, h, or other fastenings that can be easily and quickly operated, are secured to the sides ot' the cover E, by which it may be held in position on the clevated part B, and around the lowercdge thereot' may he placed suitable packing-strips, t', to prevent dust from getting under the edges ofthe cover E.

It will be readily seen that in case ot accidentsthecoverEcan be very quickly and easily removed from over the top ofthe car, and thus expose the entire interior and allow access toit for the removal ofpassengers, &c. The cars are just as strong as when the upperelevated part is made entire with the car, they can be made just as ornamental and light asnow,and those in existence can be readily changed without any great expense or change. t

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

l. In passenger-ears, a removable roof or cover, E, having sides and ends littin g over the elevated part B of a car, substantially as set forth. Y

2. In cars, a removable roof or cover, E, Vhaving inclined sides and ends fitting over the inclined elevated part B of the car, substantially as specified.

3. In cars, a removable roof or cover, E, hav- ICO ing sides and ends fitting over the elevated part B of the car, and provided with packing i, substantially as described.

4. In cars, a removable roofor cover, E, hav- 5 ing sides and ends fitting over the elevated part B of the car and seenrcd b v hooks h or other suitable fastenings, substantially as set: forth.

5. In cars, a removable roofor cover, E, having;` sides and ends fitting over the elevated 1o part B, and having; braces Dto strengthen the upper part: of the car, substantially as shown, and for the purpose specied.

6. The combination of a car-bod;v with the elevated part B, removable cover E, a series ot' braces, D, and joints b, all arranged subi5 stanti-ally as set: forth.

In testimony whereofI hereby aiix lily-signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES PATTERSON.

Vitnesses:

WM. F. S'rrDHAM, LLoYD KELEHER. 

